A new ranking of the best places to live in Canada in 2026 has placed six Ontario cities in the top 10! While Toronto didn’t make the list, Oakville, which is part of the GTA, ranked eighth on the list.
This lakeside town is filled with walkable shopping districts, delicious restaurants, waterfront parks and tons of green space. The town sits between Toronto and Niagara and is about an hour’s drive from downtown Toronto, making it the perfect spot to live or visit for a day trip or a weekend getaway. If you’re coming from Toronto and would rather skip the drive, GO Transit’s Lakeshore West line offers two-way, all-day service seven days a week.
Start your visit in downtown Oakville. The district stretches across six blocks along Lakeshore Rd E and is home to more than 400 businesses, making it a great place to shop and support locals! The area is also packed with heritage homes and offers easy access to Lakeside Park, so you can watch boats drift by and, on a clear day, even catch views of the Toronto skyline (this is especially pretty at twilight).
Tribeca Coffee Co. is a great stop for an artisanal drink by the lakeshore (try the toffee crunch cold foam latte), while Café de Madrid is a local hangout for authentic Spanish eats (the churros con chocolate are served warm and rich, crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside).
From there, explore Bronte Village. It’s one of Ontario’s oldest communities and carries classic marina-town charm, with harbour views and the scenic Bronte Beach. For lunch, head to nearby Stoney’s Bread Company for a sandwich on house-baked bread or stop by Por Vida Mezcal & Mexican for a midday cocktail and all-you-can-eat tacos on Wednesdays.
Another essential stop is Gairloch Gardens. You’ll get picturesque views of Lake Ontario and can explore the extensive gardens. Oakville Galleries also operates a free-admission contemporary art space right on-site! The space spans two locations and includes an 11-acre garden fronting the lake.
For history buffs, make time to visit the Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate. It was once home to the town’s founding family and now hosts a huge collection of artifacts reflecting the history of Oakville! Then explore Kerr Village: this eclectic neighbourhood is super trendy and has shops and restaurants representing 39 different cultures. Kerr also has the beautiful Tannery Park. This scenic spot is perfect for a stroll, with lots of benches by the lake where you can stop for a picnic.
For a night out, the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts is one of the town’s standout evening spots, supporting the local arts community while hosting more than 70 professional performances a year.
Afterward, grab some dinner at 7 Enoteca. The restaurant serves fresh, savoury Italian dishes made with local, seasonal ingredients (Michelin recognized it with a Bib Gourmand in the 2025 guide), while XII – Old Fashioned Restaurant offers a chic departure from the traditional steakhouse, with everything from classic crab cakes to dry-aged Canadian prime cuts.
If you’re looking for the world’s best fried chicken experience, check out BTRMLK! The London-based fried chicken brand has gained a cult following on social media and is now set to open a permanent location in Oakville.
The dining scene is just one part of what makes Oakville (and the GTA at large) such an amazing place to call home! The study in question was conducted by the dNOVO Group, a Toronto-based digital marketing agency. It placed Barrie, Ontario, second behind Kelowna, B.C., and ranked Sudbury fifth, Burlington sixth, Oshawa seventh and Windsor 10th. You can read more about the study here.
